Sporting services

Tender description

The London Borough of Croydon (the Council) is seeking an operator to manage our leisure centres, parks and green spaces. Further details are provided in the procurement pack. The Council is seeking to enter into a long-term successful partnership with an established operator to manage our seven leisure centres, parks and green spaces. The operator will enhance the current offer, deliver significant financial savings, and work in partnership with the Council's existing services. The Council is seeking an operator who will provide a renewed focus to sport and leisure in Croydon, and will make use of all the varied assets in the borough to provide a joined up package developing and managing operations, maximising commercial opportunities and delivering social objectives by adhering to key national, regional and local strategic policy. There will be opportunities to develop existing facilities, and working with the Council and partners to develop sport and physical activity through commercial and sustainable partnerships and investment. Purley Leisure Centre is known to be in poor condition and the Council has an aspiration to replace it. It should be noted that a recent condition survey estimates that 1 310 000 GBP of immediate works are required (full plant replacement) plus 210 000 GBP of additional works over the following five years. The Council is committed to these works which have already commenced. These works will need to be taken into account by the Operator working with the Council to maximise the efficiency and life of the facility. The operator agreement is anticipated to be signed by December 2017, followed by a mobilisation period from March 2018. The agreement will run for an initial term of 15 years, with a review break at year 10, with the option for the Council to further extend for 5 years, up to a maximum period of 20 years. The indicative value over the maximum term will be in the region of 6 000 000 GBP per annum, based upon the estimated annual turnover of the operator. There is a significant opportunity for the Operator to develop provision and create an enhanced portfolio of services within parks and green spaces, as part of an integrated offer. This could include one-off events and/or more regular activities which complement the existing services. The Council has provided an initial list of Facilities (pitches, bowling greens, pavilions, etc.) but welcomes further discussion regarding expanding the sport, physical activity and leisure offer within and across the borough's parks and green spaces. The Council has set out minimum opening hours for each of the Facilities. However, it is expected that the Operator will maximise usage and flexibility locally, including programming of each Facility, to ensure it meets commercial and social objectives.